Garda Vetting.

Owryan · 18-09-2014 5:27pm #1

Is there a system where by the parent of a child attending a pretty school can ask to see the vetting report of a staff member or child care student on placement there.

There is a trainee due to start in my child's pre school with a history of violence and assault. The preschool have refused to confirm whether or not she has been vetted. They also say that her placement is out of their hands

MouseTail · 18-09-2014 5:32pm

No, you have no right to see the report. You are not a designated person.
She must have been Garda vetted, all students are before going on placement.
Contact Tulsa if you have concerns the student was not vetted, bear in mind only convictions and arrests show up.

Owryan · 18-09-2014 5:37pm

Thanks , was pretty sure I wouldn't be allowed see it.

My main concern is that they have refused to confirm she was vetted.

Just from my own experience I find it had to see how she could be vetted so soon since she only got a place on the childcare course a week ago.

Moonbeam · 18-09-2014 9:16pm

Some courses pre vet candidates and they are only offered a place subject to their vetting.

If they have convictions for assault and violence then they will not pass it but even if they have a history if there are no convictions they may still get it.

Of course they have a say in who does placements in their school,I would voice your concerns and pull your child from the creche if you have further concerns.

Remember they can not act on hearsay .

Owryan · 26-09-2014 9:27pm

Just an update on this, found out that the student is only going to be working one day a week and her Garda vetting is not back. Creche have said she can do her placement while she is waiting.

Anyway took my kids out for the day she will be working. I am also wondering whether or not I should report what's going on.

MouseTail · 26-09-2014 11:18pm

All staff, students and volunteers in a pre school setting MUST have Garda vetting. This is a breach by the crèche and the college. I would report.

Moonbeam · 28-09-2014 11:01pm

I am not sure that it is, once she is not left unsupervised or alone with kids it is normally ok. Vetting can take months.

Moonbeam · 28-09-2014 11:02pm

If you are unhappy speak to the creche manager. You are the customer you pay for the service.

endacl · 28-09-2014 11:12pm

Moonbeam wrote: »

I am not sure that it is, once she is not left unsupervised or alone with kids it is normally ok. Vetting can take months.

Doesn't matter. The rule is, no vetting, no work. I know it can take ages. It's a crap system, but it's the only one we have. My last vetting took almost nine months to come through. My previous, for a different centre was only two months old when I applied. I still had to wait, even though I held several vetting letters. I currently hold five. All valid. All for different centres. If I apply for a position where I need a new one, none of those matter.

You'd swear the vetting system was designed by an Irishman!

Oh, for the op's interest. The vetting will disclose past convictions. It's up to the organisation to decide if those convictions are relevant or not. A conviction showing up will not necessarily bar an individual from work. They certainly shouldn't be on placement before it's through though. I'd be kicking up a bit of a stink. Do other parents know? I wouldn't of course tell them about what you described, beyond telling them that you're aware there is somebody working who's vetting hasn't come through yet.

Moonbeam · 29-09-2014 7:17pm

ugh 9 months:(
luckily I have never waited that long for myself or staff to be vetted.
I have lost track of the amount that I hold at this stage:(

The 2012 act is here - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2012/en/act/pub/0047/index.html

I like this article too - http://www.seomraranga.com/2013/03/garda-vetting/

ShamoBuc · 29-09-2014 7:36pm

Moonbeam wrote: »

I am not sure that it is, once she is not left unsupervised or alone with kids it is normally ok. Vetting can take months.

I think you are correct in this. As far as I know if a parent/visitor is brought into a primary school class they don't have to be garda vetted as long as the teacher is always in the classroom. It came up at a board of management meeting before. If they are to have unsupervised access they must have the vetting done.
I would imagine its the same elsewhere.

Moonbeam · 01-10-2014 5:28pm

They have cracked down majorly in the ECCE area but I have been out of touch for a while and only getting back in to it now.

GeneralSherman · 14-10-2014 3:16pm

The Garda Vetting Unit are now processing applications in about 3 weeks once there is no problem with the submitted form. It is the job of the Garda Vetting unit to tell organisation (eg creche) who applied on behalf of the applicant about any convictions that exist for that individual. Based on this info the organisation decides to employ that person or not. Each organisation sets there rules. You do not have the right to see the returned garda vetting for that individual (it is the property of the creche). You should ask the creche to see their written garda vetting procedures.

As an authorised signatory for a vetting organisation who has received training in the Garda vetting Unit I can state that a person who works with children/vulnerable adults (accompanied by others or not) must be garda vetting. That board of management is incorrect in stating that. (Imagine the worst case scenario.... 2 or more predators working together). People who help out at kids activities on occasion (approx 3 times a year) do not have to be vetted.

ShamoBuc · 14-10-2014 8:41pm

GeneralSherman wrote: »

As an authorised signatory for a vetting organisation who has received training in the Garda vetting Unit I can state that a person who works with children/vulnerable adults (accompanied by others or not) must be garda vetting. That board of management is incorrect in stating that. (Imagine the worst case scenario.... 2 or more predators working together). People who help out at kids activities on occasion (approx 3 times a year) do not have to be vetted.

I'm confused by the above. 2 or more predators working together? The point in which I was talking about is when a Teacher invites a parent/grandparent etc into a classroom eg. Explaining how school was different in olden days. In this situation I am of the opinion that the visitor does not have to be vetted as the teacher is and is always in the room.
And your last point, helping out with a kids activity, would a visitor to a classroom for an activity not be the same as that?

GeneralSherman · 16-10-2014 9:02pm

Yeah sorry about that ShamoBuc. I was very unclear in what I was trying to say.

When a person is helping out on a once off basis such as the situation you are talking about ie Grandparents day then they do not have to be garda vetted.
If a person is working/volunteering regularly with children/vulnerable adults eg a student on work experience they must be garda vetted even if they will be supervised at all times.

Garda Vetting.

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